Arm restraining device



June 13, 1967 I. D. POSNER ARM RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1965 Invenfor I 10/1 12 POSNER United States Patent 3,324,851 ARM RESTRAHNING DEVICE Ida D. Posner, 114 Kensington Ave., Jersey City, NJ. 07304 Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,577 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-434) This invention relates generally to an improved restraining device. More particularly, this invention relates to a restraining device for limiting the degree of freedom of movement of the arms of the person wearing such a device.

Restraining devices are frequently a necessity for persons afflicted with heart conditions. Such persons, due to the nature of their ailment, must limit their physical activities. Over reaching or exertion of a similar nature can aggravate the ailment, with serious repercussions for the individual.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a restraining device of simple design suited for use by persons afflicted with heart and circulatory ailments.

It is another object of this invention to provide a restraining device that is easy to fabricate, has replaceable components, and will be available to the purchasing public at a lower price than devices previously available for similar purposes.

The foregoing and other objects will become more apparent as this description proceeds, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a preferred form of the invention; wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved restraining device, with the belt portion being shown in opened position; and

FIG. 2 is a view showing the manner in which the restraining device is worn by an individual.

The improved restraining device is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The device is characterized by the provision of a belt member 12 with matching fastening snaps 13 and 14 for putting on and removing the device, and a pair of arm restraining bands 16 and 18 that are joined to the belt by links 20 and 22.

Belt member 12 is made from a length of belting, canvas, or other suitable, washable material that is relatively inelastic in nature. A plurality of snaps 13 and 14 are placed on the free ends of belt member 12 to allow said belt to be selectively adjustable in accordance with the dimensions of the trunk of the individual user.

Arm bands 16 and 18 are made from a flexible, relatively elastic material. The height or axial dimension of bands 16 and 18 is greater than the height of belt 12. Links 20 and 22 are slightly larger than bands 16 and 18, respectively and substantially larger than loops 16 and 18. Accordingly, there is relative motion between links 20 and 22 and elastic bands 16 and 18, thereby increasing the comfort and degree of freedom of the individual wearing a device constructed in accordance with this invention.

Restraining device functions as follows. Belt 12 is fastened about individuals body at the waist or in a posi- "ice tion slightly above the waist, as seen in FIG. 2. The individual then slips his arms through bands 16 and 18, until the loops rest slightly above the elbows in a straight line with belt 12. Links 20 and 22 permit freedom of motion of the forearms, and allow ample range for the individual to accomplish most household chores such as dishwashing, bed-making, dusting, etc. However, if the individual reaches too far, the flexible arm bands are stretched taut by the relative movement between the arm bands and the belt member 12, thus tending to return the arms to a more normal position. Thereby, the restraining device 10 provides a gentle reminder that such exertion is unduly taxing to the wearer. Manifestly, device 10 permits the wearer to move his arms forward, backward an sidewards, but prevents over-exertion.

Restraining device 10 also benefits persons who would sleep with their arms at a level above their head in the absence of this restraining device. Such a position is detrimental to persons with poor blood circulation.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that many variations may be made in the construction of the restraining device without departing from the previously described invention. For example, arm bands 16 and 18 can be made with fastening snaps like snaps 13 and 14 to adjust the size of said arm bands, or they can be made in sizes small, medium, and large. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be broadly construed commensurate with the advance in the arts and sciences engendered hereby.

I claim:

1. A restraining device for limiting the degree of freedom of an individuals arms, such device comprising:

(a) adjustable belt means of sufiicient diameter to encircle the body of the user in the vicinity of the waist, said belt means being fabricated from an inelastic material,

(b) a pair of bands of sufficient diameter to encircle the arms of the user, said bands being fabricated from an elastic material, and

(c) elongated linking means joining said bands to said belt means, said linking means having a height dimension greater than the height of either said bands or said belt means, whereby said linking means can be moved freely about said bands and said belt means as said bands tend to oppose excessive movement of the wearers arms.

2. A restraining device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bands have a height dimension greater than said belt means but lesser than said linking means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,425,489 8/1947 Peterson 128134 2,650,590 9/1953 Moore et al. 128134 3,188,090 6/1965 Job 128134 FOREIGN PATENTS 20,463 9/ 1907 Great Britain.

ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE DEGREE OF FREEDOM OF AN INDIVIDUAL''S ARMS, SUCH DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) ADJUSTABLE BELT MEANS OF SUFFICIENT DIAMETER TO ENCIRCLE THE BODY OF THE USER IN THE VICINITY OF THE WAIST, SAID BELT MEANS BEING FABRICATED FROM AN INELASTIC MATERIAL, (B) A PAIR OF BANDS OF SUFFICIENT DIAMETER TO ENCIRCLE THE ARMS OF THE USER, SAID BANDS BEING FABRICATED FROM AN ELASTIC MATERIAL, AND (C) ELONGATED LINKING MEANS JOINING SAID BANDS TO SAID BELT MEANS, SAID LINKING MEANS HAVING A HEIGHT DIMENSION GREATER THAN THE HEIGHT OF EITHER SAID BANDS OR SAID BELT MEANS, WHEREBY SAID LINKING MEANS CAN OR SAID BELT MEANS, WHEREBY SAID LINKING MEANS CAN BE MOVED FREELY ABOUT SAID BANDS AND SAID BELT MEANS AS SAID BANDS TEND TO OPPOSE EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE WEARER''S ARMS. 